Sawadee Ka!

As a kid growing up in a small northern NY town where chicken wings and burgers reigned supreme, I distinctly remember the first time I tasted Thai food. My parents took us on a 30 minute drive to the next (significantly larger) town over, to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant tucked into one of those strip mall shopping centre areas. It was an unassuming place that left an indelible mark on my palette. The exotic flavours of coconut milk, ginger, lemongrass, and fish sauce. The astounding complexities of different curries. I was instantaneously in love. Head over heels for an entire country’s cuisine. As the years have passed, things have only gotten worse. It seems that all of my food cravings are only subdued by the intake of something deliciously Thai. I am a vampire.

So when recently trying to decide which South East Asian country to visit, it was only natural that we chose Thailand. This is my love letter to the land of smiles.

To the city streets of Bangkok: wildly alive with the jangle of tuk tuks and motorbike taxis. To the impressive steel and glass of its modern architecture towering alongside temples gleaming gold under the inexhaustible sun. To telephone wires like failed knitting projects stretching along streets and alleys in baffling displays of tangled beauty.

To the scent of lemongrass and ginger, hanging heavy on the languid breeze. To street food found at every turn- to gem coloured fruit juices, and magical packets of banana leaf. To perfect plates of som tum. To trains rocking gently through the night heading all places north.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a love letter to Chiang Mai. To the clusters of orange robed monks, and the multitude of bedazzled Buddhist temples filling the space within the surrounding moat. To the mountains, waterfalls…lakes- and to all of the adventures hidden within.

 

To endless bottles of Chang and far too many glasses of Hong Thong. To little dinner spots with open air kitchens and laughing locals. To cups of coffee served in quiet Hmong villages amongst the chickens and the dogs. To the smell of 5 spice powder wafting off freshly stewed pork shanks. To the food stalls of the North Gate Market- as far as the eye can see. To the sound of woks sizzling in every direction. And yes, this is even a love note to the 100 baht elephant print hippie pants found at every souvenir shop, seemingly worn by every tourist (but no locals.)

 

This is a love letter to the beaches of the south. To the hot sand, the vast blue ocean; and of course, to the longtail boats. To penang curry, massaman curry, and kaffir lime/chile infused cocktails. To the Similian Islands and its underwater worlds. To the speedo-wearing, lobster-coloured beach-bums. And to the strange number of kitties…everywhere.

This is a love letter to the people of Thailand. To their beaming smiles, and genuinely friendly spirit.

Sawadee Ka, dear Thailand…Sawadee Ka!

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